San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-03-04
A PHANTOM BRIDE.
BY the Author of 1.-THE Ice OAR
NIvAL."

mouse. A cneerrul nre DlaZed upon Vno
hearth; the lamps were lighted; round
about his bed in various graceful atti-
tudes of abandon his three sisters con-
gregated, each gazing with flushed
cheeks and wide-Open wondering eyes
at that idolized brother who, a second
time within four-and-twenty hours, had
been snatched well-nigh miraculously
from the Jaws of death, and restored to
their embrace with the strength and
vigor of his manhood unimpaired. For
the evening now grew late, and Dick,
after the usual course of restorative
measures had been adopted, tossed
about like lion refreshed, in his luxu-
rious bed, declaring himself half-dis-
posed to get up and dress, and sally
forth anew, skates in hand, to conclude
the nights interrupted sport; whilst
his sisters clustered round him, 10th to
tear themselves away one moment be-
fore the baronet's brougham was an
nounced to bear them hOme-it having
the night in his present quarters, rath-
or than risk the dangerous possibility
of chill.
Don't be ridiculous, Dick" returned
Kate seriously, as the young man
paused after the delivery of this last
speech. II think the moment is ill
timed for testing; levity is altogether
incongruous under the circumstances,
and"
do you know, Dick" interrupted
Edie in mysterious tones, drawing
nearer, and laying her fair head on the
pillow next her brothers, that you
will go henceforth by the name of The
Haunted MANI for Dawkins, the gar
dener, is sure to compare notes at the
Pig and Whistle with the carriers, over
q friendly glass; and really there is no
discrepancy in their evidence-the state
ments of one and all coincide to quite
extraordinary degree"
II am not testing, girls, swear!'' re-
turned Dick impatiently. II was jok-
ing, admit, on Christmas Eve, but
now speak gospel-truth. AT the very
moment of my fall heard voice-a
not far distant human voice-a single
cry, whether Of warning or commisera-
ton / can scarcely tell, yet so distinct
and unmistakable, that it made an i'm
preston even then upon mind and ear
alike. Nell, you tell me-you appear
the most reliable spokeswoman of the
three-exactly what cock-and-bull story
these fellows have got hold of; for, as
you say, it seems not at all unlikely l
shall be henceforth eyed askance, if not
altogether Stunned, as that undesirable
notoriety, popularity dubbed the haunt
ed manl'
SWELL" began Nell with an air Of
some Importance, not altogether unbe-
coming, seeing she was appealed to as
reliable" authority by the mystified
invalid; sit seems that Jack Dawkins
and his wife were sitting at supper
when the door flew open according to
their story revealing slender 'girlish
figure, standing motionless on the
threshold" Dick at this juncture vain
ly strove to repress smile, for Nell,
unconsciously, rose with the occa-
sion," adopting singularly impressive
and melodramatic style, suited to the
supernatural character of the events it
was her duty to narrate. For a mo-
ment she did not speak, they say, but
pointed with one hand over her Shout
der, Jack springing to his feet awed and
terrified, for they declare her face was
white and quite unearthly, her hair
hanging weirdly round her. Then
presently she gasped, "A man drowning
in the lake under the ice, not twenty
yards from your door. Go at once to
the rescue-go at oncel or words to that
effect" Nell corrected herself, desir-
Gus seemingly of being quite veracious,
"But you must imagine Jacks lingo, I
can't altogether initiate thatl Well, as
it happened, his nephew was outside in
the back garden chopping wood, and
Jack declared before he could so much
as gle 'un a CALI the space was once
more vacant where the girl had stood
she had vanished as mysteriously as she
had come! Well, you know the rest.
Jack and the lad started off at once and
arrived at the scene of disaster not one
moment too soon; they had taken a
short ladder and pole with them, the
wife following with whisky, blankets,
&C.. and you were dragged out in due